National League East preview capsules

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (92-70, 1st) MANAGER: Charlie Manuel (5th season)PAYROLL: $131 million X-FACTOR: Chase Utley has made a speedy return from hip surgery but any sort of setback would cripple the lineup. BEST CASE: Brad Lidge, after going 48 for 48 in save chances, keeps bucking the odds. The ageless Jamie Moyer just keeps winning at 46. Ryan Howard avoids the slow start that has plagued him the past two years and makes another run at the MVP. WORST CASE: Cole Hamels' elbow problems return after a season in which he threw nearly 260 innings, including the postseason. Raul Ibanez proves even more of a defensive liability in left than the departed Pat Burrell. They become at least the sixth pennant winner in the past four years to miss the playoffs the following year. LINEUPSS Jimmy RollinsCF Shane Victorino2B Chase Utley1B Ryan HowardRF Jayson WerthLF Raul Ibanez3B Pedro FelizC Carlos RuizROTATIONLHP Cole HamelsRHP Brett MyersLHP Jamie MoyerRHP Joe BlantonRHP Chan Ho ParkBULLPEN CL Brad LidgeRHP Ryan MadsonLHP Scott Eyre

NEW YORK METS (89-73, 2nd) MANAGER: Jerry Manuel (2nd season)PAYROLL: $141 millionX-FACTOR: Veteran 2B Luis Castillo apologized to Mets officials for his poor season in 2008, but how much is left in those legs? BEST CASE: The splashy bullpen additions turn a negative into a positive after 29 blown saves a year ago. Carlos Delgado carries over his second-half resurgence as he continues the drive for 500 career homers (31 shy). The back end of the rotation comes together and silences its many critics. WORST CASE: A return of those spring arm worries puts Johan Santana on the shelf for any length of time. Weak production from the corner outfield spots undercuts a tremendous infield. Brian Schneider struggles again and makes them wish they had signed Pudge Rodriguez. LINEUPSS Jose ReyesLF Daniel MurphyCF Carlos Beltran1B Carlos Delgado3B David WrightRF Ryan ChurchC Brian Schneider2B Luis CastilloROTATIONLHP Johan SantanaLHP Oliver PerezRHP Mike Pelfrey RHP John MaineRHP Livan HernandezBULLPENCL Francisco RodriguezRHP J.J. PutzLHP Pedro Feliciano

FLORIDA MARLINS (84-77, 3rd)MANAGER: Fredi Gonzalez, 3rd seasonPAYROLL: $33 millionX-FACTOR: Can new closer Matt Lindstrom continue a long line of franchise success stories in that role? BEST CASE: Cameron Maybin shows the five-tool talent that made him one of the game's top prospects and contends for top rookie honors. The rotation stays healthy and proves to be the deepest and best in the division. The offense barely misses the traded bats of Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham. WORST CASE: A leaky defense again undercuts other areas of strength. Even with a new ballpark on the way, they finish last in the majors in attendance again. A lack of depth keeps them from contending for their first playoff spot since winning it all in 2003. LINEUPCF Cameron MaybinC John BakerSS Hanley Ramirez1B Jorge Cantu2B Dan UgglaLF Jeremy HermidaRF Cody Ross3B Emilio BonifacioROTATIONRHP Ricky NolascoRHP Josh JohnsonRHP Chris VolstadRHP Anibal SanchezLHP Andrew MillerBULLPENCL Matt LindstromRHP Scott ProctorRHP Leo Nunez

ATLANTA BRAVES (72-90, 4th) MANAGER: Bobby Cox (24th season)PAYROLL: $100 million X-FACTOR: Tommy Hanson, who dominated last fall in Arizona, should energize a revamped rotation whenever he arrives. BEST CASE: Free-agent signee Derek Lowe takes a third different club to the playoffs. Steady Garret Anderson, a career .296 hitter, makes them thankful they weren't able to sign Ken Griffey Jr. The kids in center do the job with the glove and the bat. WORST CASE: Jeff Francoeur's on-base percentage sinks below .300 for the third time in four years. All those elbow surgeries at the back of the bullpen leave that unit short again. A once-proud dynasty fails to reach 80 wins for the third time in four years. LINEUPCF Jordan SchaferSS Yunel Escobar 3B Chipper JonesC Brian McCannLF Garret AndersonRF Jeff Francoeur1B Casey Kotchman2B Kelly Johnson ROTATIONRHP Derek LoweRHP Jair JurrgensRHP Javier VazquezLHP Tom GlavineRHP Tommy Hanson BULLPENCL Mike GonzalezRHP Rafael SorianoRHP Peter Moylan

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (59-102, 5th)MANAGER: Manny Acta (3rd season)PAYROLL: $59 millionX-FACTOR: Elijah Dukes has as much natural talent as anyone in the majors but will he be able to keep his demons at bay? BEST CASE: They get a mental bounce from the long-rumored departure of former GM Jim Bowden. Rookie RHP Jordan Zimmermann breaks through and cements this as the team Bob Dylan should love. Scott Olsen builds on the gains of a solid 2008. WORST CASE: Another slow start keeps TV ratings and attendance low and puts Manny Acta's job in jeopardy. Too many redundant parts leave them lacking in too many areas. Adam Dunn, a DH-in-waiting if ever there was one, makes that $20 million signing look foolish.LINEUPCF Lastings MilledgeSS Cristian Guzman3B Ryan Zimmerman LF Adam DunnRF Elijah Dukes1B Nick JohnsonC Jesus Flores2B Anderson HernandezROTATIONLHP John LannanLHP Scott OlsenRHP Daniel CabreraRHP Jordan ZimmermannRHP Collin BalesterBULLPENCL Joel HanrahanLHP Joe BeimelRHP Saul Rivera